Game apparatus



March 9, 1937. H. E. WILLIAMS GAME APPARATUS 4 SheetsSheet 4l Filed March 16,-1936 INVENTOR. Harry E. Wil/mms HIS ATTORNEYS,

H. E. WILLIAMS GAME APPARATUS March 99 1937.

Filed March 16, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 HIS ATTORNEYS.

March 9, 1937. H. E. WILLIAMS Y 2,072,933

GAME APPARATUS Filed March 16, 1936 l 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 49 53 /faz INVENTOR. /148' Harry Williams HIS ATTORNEYS.

H. E. WILLIAMS 2,072,933

GAME APPARATUS Filed March 16, 1936 4 Sh'e-etS-Shee l.

k mlm.. f u

INVENTOR. Harry E W'z'/iams HIS ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME APPARATUS Application March 16, 1936, Serial No. 69,155

.2 Claims.

This invention relates to game apparatus.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved game apparatus which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and enr cient in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide certain improvements upon the game apparatus shown and described in applicants copending application Ser. No. 69,154 filed March Other objects of the present invention are: to provide a novel device, actuated by a ball in the ball ramp or runway of a game apparatus of the pin and marble game type, for recording the l5 number of balls which are propelled up the ramp onto the upper portion of the inclined playing board of the same; to provide a novel device inciuding a plurality oi score printing drums and operating units therefor, including ball-actuated o switches, by means of which two or more players may play a competitive game upon a game apparatus of the pin and marble game type; and to provide a novel game apparatus' oi the pin and marble game type which is particularly adapted 2.3 for use in playing a so-called boxing game,

that is, a game simulating the game of boxing.

Other objects will appear hereinafter. The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be herein- :io after described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view, partly in section,

:is showing a preferred form of certain parts of the present invention, including the score-recording devices;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on line 2 2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on line 3 3 in Fig. 1, showing the arrangement of the several recording drums;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail View on line 4--5 in g Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View, on line 5-5 in Fig. 1, showing part of the printing, web-severing, and web-advancing mechanisms;

Fig. 6 is a perspective detail view of two of the recording drums which are embodied in the present invention and also showing the operating mechanisms therefor;

Fig. 'l is a detail view on line 'I-l in Fig. 6, partly in section and partly in top plan;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevational View, oi certain parts of the drum-advancing and latching -devices, and is taken on line 8--8 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the cabinet of a game apparatus of the so-called pin and marble game type having a preferred form of the present invention embodied therein;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on line I U-I in Fig. 9 showing an actuating switch for one of the recording drums;

Fig. l1 is a perspective detail view of the control switch for the drum-resetting device;

Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view showing certain parts of the control mechanism for the webadvancing, web-printing and web-severing devices, and is taken on line I2-I2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of an electrical cir-cuit embodied in the present invention;

Fig. 14 is a sectional View on line III- I4 in Fig. 9, showing one of the ball-actuated switches embodied in the present invention;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view, on line |5-I 5 in Fig. 9, showing another of the ball-actuated switches;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view, on line IG-IE in Fig. 9, showing still another of the ball-actuated switches; and

Fig. 17 is a sectional View, on line I 'l--I'I in Fig. 9, showing still another one of the ball-actuated switches which are embodied in the present game apparatus.

A preferred form of. the present invention is shown in the drawings, is therein generally indicated at Ill, and includes a cabinet, generally indicated at II (Fig. 9). This cabinet II includes an inclined playing board I2 which is provided with ball exit openings 63 and |53 (Figs. 9, 14, 15, 16, and 1'7) and arranged in the cabinet II, at one side of the inclined playing board I2, is a ball runway or ramp I4 along which balls may be propelled, one at a time, onto the upper portion of the inclined playing board I2, by means of a ball-propelling device or plunger I5. Arranged in the upper portion of the ball runway or ramp I4 is a switch I6 (Figs. 9 and 10) and this switch Iii includes a movable switch-operating element I9', and this switch-operating element I9 includes a portion I9 which projects or depends into an opening I8 which is formed in the ramp I4 (Fig. 10). This portion IS is pivotally mounted on the under side of the play board I2, as at |56, and projecting laterally from the pivotal point |56 is an arm |57. The switch I6 also includes a pair of. normally spaced contacts 2U which are adapted to be urged into engagement with each other by the laterally extending arm |51 0I" the member it', when the latter is engaged by a played ball passing up the ramp It.

The switch i3 is arranged in an electrical circuit 2l (Fig. 13) and likewise embodied in this circuit is an electromagnet 22 (Fig. l), and this electromagnet 22 is adapted to operate or advance a printing or recording drum 23 (the latter appearing in Fig. 3) (in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter), relative to and past a web 24 (Fig. 2) of paper or the like so as to record upon the latter the number of balls which have been propelled up the ramp lli onto the upper portion of the inclined playing board l2.

The printing or recording drum 23 is attached to a tubular Sleeve 24 and this sleeve 213 is, in turn, rotatably mounted upon'a horizontal shaft 25 which is arranged in the cabinet (Fig. 3).

Arranged upon the shaft 2d, adjacent the printing drum 22, is a second printing drum 2l (Fig. 3), and this drum 2i is attached to a sleeve 26 which is rotatably mounted upon .the sleeve 24, the sleeve 2e telescopically receiving the sleeve 24. Arranged adjacent the drum 21 is a third printing drum 23 and this printingdrum 2S is attached toa sleeve29 which is, in turn, rotatably mounted upon the sleeve 2t, the sleeve 29 tele- Scopically receiving the sleeve 25, (Fig. 3).

Attached to the sleeve '24 is a ratchet 30 (Fig. 3). A similar ratchet 3| is attached to the sleeve 26, and another, and similar ratchet 32 is attached to the sleeve 29. A.Associated with the ratchet 3| is an electromagnet 33 and associated with the ratchet 32 is an electromagnet 34 (Figs. l and 8). The operating mechanism for these ratchets 35, 3| and 32, and the corresponding printing drums 23, 27 and 23, respectively, 'are similar and one of the same is shown in Fig. 8, it being considered unnecessary to show each of these operating mechanisms or .units since they are identical.

One of these operating mechanisms or units for the ratchets 30, 3| and 32, and printing drums 23, 27 and 28, shown in Fig. 8, is therein generally indicated at 35, and this Fig. 8 illustrates the particular operating mechanism or unit which is associated with the ratchet. 32, printing drum 28, and electromagnet 32. This operating mechanism or unit 35 comprises a member 35 which is pivotally mounted between its ends, as at 3l, and this member 33 includes an end portion 38 which is attractable by the electromagnet 32. The member 35 is pivotally connected, as at 39, to a pawl i3 and this pawl lli is engageable with the teethof the ratchet 32. Likewise engageable i with the ratchet 32 is an end portion il of a latch dog l2 which is pivotally mounted between its ends, as at 43, this latch dog i2 being urged into latching engagement with the ratchet 32 by a spring 46.

The latch dog l2 also includes an arm i4 and thisarm is is adapted to be engagedvby a member l5 which forms a trip for the latch dogs 42 which control the ratchets 3G, 3| and 32. This member 45 is mounted in the cabinet as at 47 and |53 (Figs. 1 and 4) and has an end portion 28 (Figs. 3 and 4) which is attractable by an electromagnet fil which is'arranged in the cabinet this electromagnet 49 being arranged in the circuit 2| (Fig. 13).

Mounted on the sleeve 24 (Fig. l) is a resetting coil spring 52 for the printing drum 23. A similar resetting coil spring 5| for the printing drum 21, is mounted on the sleeve 26, and a corresponding resetting coil spring 52, for the printing drum 28, is mounted on the sleeve 23.

The electromagnet [39, is energized, by the closing of a switch 53, (Fig. l1), presently to be described, and when energized it attracts the end portion i8 of the pivoted member 25, thereby pivoting the latter, at il and |58 (counterclockwise, Fig. 4), and thus moving the member #35 into engagement with the end portions of the three latch dogs 32, thereby pivoting the latter,

at 43, (clockwise, Fig. 8) out oi latching engagement with the ratchets 3c, 3| and 32, whereupon the tensioned resetting coil springs 55, 5l and 52, acting through the telescoping tubularrsleeves 2li, 26 and 29, will reset the printing drums 23, 2l and 28 back into their initial positions, after the game played upon the apparatus has been completed. v

Slidably mounted in the cabinet li, below the inclined playing board i2, is a ball-retaining member 565, and carried by and depending from this ball-retaining member 54 (Figs. 2 and 1l) is an arm 55. This arm 55 is engageable with a laterally extending arm 56 (Fig. 1l) of a switchoperating member 5l which is pivotally mounted in the cabinetl upon a support 5B. This switch operating member 51 has a central portion 5t which is engageable with one of the contacts 65 of the switch 53, so as to force the same into engagement with the other Contact Si of the switch 53. The switch-operating member 5l is normally urged by a spring 52 (clockwise, Fig. 1l) so as to force the central portion 53 thereof into engagement with the contact 60, the resiliency of the contact 60 being normally sufficient to prevent the same from being engaged with the Contact 6| under the action of the spring 62.

The switch 53 is closed, by the operation of the ball-retaining member 54, so as to energize the electromagnet 49 and reset the printing drums 23, 2 and 23 back into their initial or normal positions, after the game played upon the apparatus has been completed, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

Projecting into each of the ball-receiving pockets 63 is a resilient contact 53 (Figs. i4, l5 and 16). Each of these contacts 6d is engageable with a corresponding contact 55, each pair of these contacts 64 and 65 forming a switch and these switches being arranged in the circuit 2! (Fig. 13), and identied for the purpose of convenience, as the switches 56, 6?, |28, and |22, it being understood that these switches 65, t?, 23 and |23 are similar in construction but by reason of the fact that they actuate different devices, when closed, they are given separate reference numerals.

The switches 66 and associated ball-receiving pockets v63 constitute a group, while the switches 6l also associated with ball-receiving pockets 53 constitute another group (Fig. 13).

The web |59 is guided through a slot 68 which is formed in an upright support 59 (Fig. 5) which is arranged in the cabinet (Fig. 5), and the web |59 is advanced, step by step, relative to and past the printing drums 23, 21, 28, |68, and 25 (the last two to be described hereinafter) by means of a web-advancing roller it which is rotatably mounted in the cabinet l, upon a vertical -shaft 1|, for horizontal movement, (Fig. 3). Attached to the shaft (Fig. 12) is a ratchet i2 and engageable with this ratchet 72 is a pawl i3 which is carried by a rocker arm 74, this rocker arm 14 being pivotally mounted, that is, oating on the shaft 7|. Attached to the rocker arm '1li is a roller 'l5 and engageable with this roller 75 is an offset end portion 'IE of a yoke shaped mem- CTI ber 11 which is pivotally mounted between its ends, as at 18, in the cabinet I (Fig. 3). Pivotally connected to this member 11, at one end thereof, as at 19, is a link and the opposite end of this link 89 is pivotally connected, as at 8| (Fig. 1)to a coin slide 82 which is slidably mounted in an end wall 83 of the cabinet II. Likewise engageable with the ratchet 12 to prevent retrograde movement of the same, is a latch dog |23.

Pivotally connected to the rocker arm 14, as at 84, (Fig. 1) is a link 85 and pivotally connected to this link 85, as at 86, is an arm 81 which is pivotally mounted, that is, floating on a shaft 89. Pivotally mounted on this arm 81, is a pawl 88a and this pawl 88a is engageable in a notched p0rtion 89 of an operating member 90 which is loosely mounted on, that is, floats on the shaft 88. The member normally engages a stop |65 which is formed as a part of a supporting member 92. 'Ihe paWl 88a is adapted to ride a cam edge or surface 9| which is formed on the stationary member 92, (Fig. 1) for a reason to be explained hereinafter.

The operating member 90 has a laterally projecting arm 93 and this arm 93 of the member 99 is engageable with a pressure or impression-transmitting and web-severing device 94 (Fig. 5), which is pivotally mounted in the cabinet H, as at 95, and which is normally urged into full line position (Fig. 5) by a resetting spring |41. This member 94 has a knife edge or cutting edge 96 which coacts with a stationary knife edge |60, which is xed to the upright support 69 adjacent the slot 68, to form a shear. The member 94 also includes a resilient arm or portion 91, this resilient arm 91 being adapted to engage the free end portion of the web |59 so as to force the same into printing engagement with the printing drums 23, 21, 28, |08, and |09, and the knife edge 96 of the member 94 is adapted to engage the free end portion of the web |59, after the printing operation, to coact with the knife edge |60 so as to `sever the said printed free end portion of the web from the body of the same, whereupon the said severed end portion of the web |59 will drop, by gravity, into the delivery chute 98, whence it will fall into the delivery outlet or tray 99 (Fig. 5) from which it may be withdrawn by the player.

Engageable with the pressure and Web-severing member 94 is an end portion |00 of a main control member, in the form of a plunger IOI, which is slidably mounted in the Wall 83 of the cabinet H. This plunger is normally urged to the left (Fig. 5) by a spring |6|.

Attached to the arm 85, (Fig. 1) as at |02, is the slide rod or plunger |03 of a dash pot or retarding pump |84. This dash pot |04 is pivotally mounted in the cabinet II as at |62 (Figs. 2 and 12). Attached to one end of the rocker arm 14, as at |06, (Fig. 1) is a spring |85, the other end of this spring |05 being attached to the arm 81, at 86 (Fig. l).

Associated with each 0f the printing drums 23, 21, and 28, that is, common to all of them, is an inking roll |01. Associated with each of the printing drum |08 and |09, that is, common to both of them, is an inking pad |63. This pad I 63 is mounted upon a resilient arm |64 which in turn is mounted upon the upright support 69.

Fixed on the shaft 25 (Figs. 3 and 6) adjacent the printing drum 23, are the two printing drums |98 and |09. An arm HI has a pin and slot connection H9 with the drum |08 (Fig. 6), and this arm H includes a portion H2 which floats on a horizontal shaft H3. This arm Ill-H2 also has a counterweighted end portion H4 which is attractable by an electromagnet H5. Likewise floating on the shaft H3 is an arm H1 and this arm H1 has a counterweighted end portion H0 which is attractable by an electromagnet H9. The upper end portion H6 of this arm H1 (Fig. 5) is engageable with a laterally extending flange |20 which is provided on one lateral side of the drum |09 (Fig. 5).

Mounted in the cabinet I l, adjacent the printing drums |08 and |09, is a switch |22 (Fig. 6) and this switch |22 includes two resilient contacts |24 and |25 and one of these contacts, that is, the contactV |24, has a lower end portion |26. Engageable with this lower end portion |26 of the contact |24 is a laterally extending arm |2| of the member H1, and the portion H2 of the arm is also engageable with this lower end portion |26 of the Contact |24, for a reason to be set forth hereinafter.

Each of the printing drums |08 and |09 is reset into its normal or initial position, after each operation thereof, by means of a resetting spring |21 (Fig. 5), each of these resetting springs |21 having one end portion attached to the shaft 25 and having its other end portion attached to the corresponding printing drum |08 and |09.

'Ihe electromagnets H5 and H9 are arranged in an auxiliary circuit |30 (Fig. 13), which is associated with the main circuit 2|, and also arranged in this auxiliary circuit |30 are the ballactuated switches |28 and |29 which are associated with certain of the ball-exit openings 63 in the inclined playing board I2 (Fig. 16).

The auxiliary circuit |30 and the main circuit 2| (Fig. 13) have a common source of current |3| which may be, for example, a battery of dry cells or the like arranged in the cabinet H.

Disposed at the lower end of the inclined playing board I2 are two switches |50 (Fig. 9) each of these switches |50 including an operating member |5| (Fig. 17) which projects into an opening |69 which is formed in the inclined playing board I2. Each of these switch operating members includes a portion |52 which projects or depends below the corresponding opening |53 which is formed in the inclined playing board I2. Each of the switches |50 also includes a pair of normally separated contacts |54 which are adapted to be urged into engagement with each other by the depending arm |52 of the corresponding members |5| when the latter is engaged by a played ball passing thereover during its gravitation along the upper surface of the play board I2.

Operation When a ball is propelled up the ramp I4, by means of the plunger I5, it will engage the switch-operating member I9 of switch I6 and thereby force the arm |51 of the latter downwardly into engagement with the upper one of the contacts 20, thereby forcing the contacts 20 together and thus closing the switch |6 (Fig. 10). When the switch I6 is thus closed current will flow through the circuit 2| (Fig. 13) as follows: From one side of the source of current |3|, by way of the conductor |32 to the switch |6, through the latter, thence by way of the conductor |33 to the switch |22, through the latter, thence by way of the conductor |34 to one side of the electromagnet 22, through the latter, and thence by way of the conductors |35 and |45 back to the source of current |3| thereby energizing the electromagnet 22. When the electrolil magnet 22 is thus energized it will attract the end portion 38 of the movable element 35 of the corresponding drum-advancing unit 35,l (shown in Fig. 8)., whereupon the said member 35 will be pivoted, at 31, (clockwise, Fig. 8). This movement of the member 36 will act, through the pivotal connection 33, to pivot the pawl 4|! into engagement with the ratchet 33, hereby advancing theratchet'S, sleeve 24, and the printing drum 23, relative to the web |59, a circumferential distance between-two-of the teeth on the ratchet 33. In this Amanner vthe printing drum 23 is advanced, in a step by step movement, every time a ball is propelled up to the ramp I4 onto the upper portion of the inclined playingl board I2, and after the game is completed the total number of balls, with`one exception, thus propelled up the ramp I4 onto the inclined playing board |2 may be recorded upon the web |53, in a manner which will be Vdescribed hereinafter. After this recording operation the member 35 is returned to its initial position (as in Fig. 8) by its tensioned resetting spring |35'.

When a ball enters into one of the ball-receiving pockets or exit openings in the inclined playing board l2 with which there is associated one of the switches 53, the latter will be closed, whereupon current will ow through the circuit 2| (Fig. 13) as follows: From one side of the source of current I3I, through the conductor |32, through the conductors |31, |38 and |39, through the particular switch 65 which has been closed, thence by way of the conductor |40 to one side of the electromagnet 33, through the latter, thence by way of the conductors ll, |35 and |25 back to the other side of the current source Y|3I, thereby energizing the electromagnet 33.

When the electromagnet 33 is thus energized it acts, throughV its operating unit 38-31-36- 33-40 etc. (Fig. 8), (in the manner hereinbefore described in connection with the operation of advancing the printing drum 23), to advance the ratchet 3| and the printing drum 21, relative to the web |59, a circumferential distance equal to the distance between two teeth on the ratchet 3|. In this manner the printing drum 21 is advanced, in a step by step movement, relative to the web |53, so as to record the scores made by balls entering the ball-receiving pockets in the inclined playing board with which thel switches 53 are associated, and after the game has been completed the total of these Scores made by balls closing the switches 65 may be printed upon the web |59, in a manner which will be described hereinafter. f

Similarly, when a ball enters one of the ballreceiving pockets i3 in the inclined playing board I2, with which one of the switches 61 is associated, it will close the said switch 51, whereupon current will flow, in the circuit 2|, as follows: From one side of the current source |3l, through the conductors |32 and |31, into the conductor 133, across the particular switch 61 which has been closed, thence by way of the conductor |42 to one side of the electromagnet 34, through the latter, and thence by way of the conductors |4|, |35, and |45 back tothe other 'side of the current source |3I, thereby energizing the electromagnet 34. When the electromagnet 34 is thus energized it will act, through the parts 38-31- 33-53 (Fig. 8), to advance the ratchetY 32 and the printing drum 28 a circumferential distance equal to the'distance between two of the teeth on the ratchet 32, and after the game has been completed the total of the scores made by balls closing the switches; 61 may! be recorded upon theweb |59; in a manner which will be explained hereinafter. f

It maybe noted here that the provision of the two groups of switches 53 and 61, and the two printing drums 21 and 28, respectively, and the other parts associated therewith, permits the player to playa competitive game upon the game apparatus with which the present invention is associated, since the playerimay attemptto play the balls in such a manner that they will engage and close the switches-55, and advance the printing drum 21, and likewise avoid playing the balls inv such a manner that they will engage the switches 61 and advance the printing drum'28, it being understood that, if desired, additional printing drums, groups of switches, and associated parts may be added, if desired, within the scope of the present invention, since the number of printing drums, and associated parts, is not necessarily limited to two.

When a ball enters into the particular ball-receiving pocket 53 with which the switch |28 is associated (Fig. 15) it will close the latter, whereupon current will iiow as follows: From one side of the current source |3I, by way of the conductors |32, |31, |38 and |43 to one side of the switch |28, thence across the latter, thence by way of the conductor |44 to one side of the electromagnet ||5, through the latter, and thence by way of the conductor |45 back to the other side of the current source I3 I, thus energizing the electromagnet ||5. When the electromagnet ||5 is thus energized it will attract the end portion i4 of the member ||I| I2, thereby rocking the latter, upon the shaft H3, (clockwise, Fig. 6). This movement of the member ||4||2||| acts, through its pin and slot connection lI with the printing drum |08, to advance the latter a predetermined circumferential distance (clockwise, Fig. 6). During this movement of the member ||4-||2-|||, the portion ||2 of the same engages the lower end portion |26 of the middle contact |24 of the switch |22, thereby pivoting the latter (counterclcckwise, Fig. 6), and thus moving the contact |24 out of engagement with the contact |25 and opening the switch |22, and thus opening the circuit |3|I32|3 |22--l34-22--l35-I45 to the electromagnet 22. When the said circuit tothe electromagnet 22 is thus opened, by the opening of the'switch |22, any additional balls which may be propelled up the inclined ramp I4 into engagement with the switch-operating member |9-I9 will close the switch I6 but whenthe switch ItY is thus closed it will be ineffective to operate the electromagnet 22 and the printing drum 23, upon which the number of balls played up the ramp lll is recorded, since the circuit |3||32|6|33 |22-I34--I35-l45, through the electromagnet 22, which operates the printing drum 23, is at this time open or broken at the switch |22.

When a ball enters into the particular one of the ball-receiving pockets in the inclined playing board i2 with which the switch |29 is associated it will close the latter, whereupon current will flow as follows: From one side of the current source |3|, through the conductors |32, |31, |38v and |43, thence across the closed switch I 29, thence by way of the conductor |45 to one side of the electromagnet H9, through the latter, and thence byway of the conductor |45 back to the other side of the current source |3I, thereby tract the counterweighted lower end portion H8 of the member lil, thereby rocking the latter upon the shaft IIS (clockwise, Fig. 6). During this movement the upper end portion H6 of the member iii' will engage the flange 120 of the printing drum i, thereb-y moving the latter a predetermined circumferential distance (counterclockwise, Figs. and (i). During this movement the iateraliy extending arm i2! of the member 2i will engage the lower end portion E26 of the contact 52d and thereby open the switch E22, so that any additional balls played up the ramp ill, ov-er the Switch-operating member iQ-i, will be ineffective to energize the electromagnet 22 and operate the printing drum 23 since at this time the aforesaid circuit which includes the electromagnet 22 is open or broken at the switch E22., and hence a competitive game, based upon the number of balls played, will be ended when a ball is projected into engagement with eit er he switches i28-I29. Accordingly, when the total scores of the game are printed upon the web i553, in a manner to be described presently, the number of balls played, as re ordcd upon one oi the printing drums Hi8 and it, will be recorded upon the web 59, together with the competitive scores made by the players, so that they may b-e readily seen by the player, and a permanent record of the same may thus be had.

In order to print upon the free end portion of the web lie, the players scores, as indicated upon the printing drums 2l and 28, as well as to record the number of balls played, as indicated by the printing drum 23, together with the indicia borne by the printing drums 93 andv M99, the main controi member or plunger iii! is pushed in (left to right, 5), whereupon the inner end portion ie@ of the plunger itl will engage the pressure and web-severing member Sii, thereby pivoting the latter, at S5 (counterclockwise, 5). When the member 94 is thus operated, the resilient arm si' thereof engages the free end portion of the web and urges the same into printing engagement with the printing drums 23- E'l-ES-idS--EML thus recording the indicia of the same upon the free end portion of the web i539, whereupon the knife edge 95 of the member @d will engage the thus printed free end portion of the web and coact with the knife edge ld to sever the free end portion from the body of the web, whereupon the thus printed and severed free end portion of the web will drop by gravity into the delivery chute 98 and thence into the delivery outlet or tray 59, from which it may be removed by the player. The plunger lill will return to initial position by the resetting spring it i, and the member returned to its initial position (as in Fig. 5) by the resetting spring 141 (Fig. 5).

In the event that the player, or players, for any reason, fail to operate the main and noncoin-operated' control device, for the printing and web-serving mechanisms, that is, the plunger ide-iti, so as to perform the printing and websevering operations, after the completion of a game, these operations will be performed when the coin slide 82 is operated prior to the next game played upon the apparatus, as will now be described.

When the coin slide 82 is pushed in (left to right, Figs. l and 2) it acts, through the link im, to pivot the member 'il (clockwise, Fig. i) thereby moving the end portion '.155 of the member Ti into engagement with the roller 15, which is carried by the rocker arm 1d, thereby pivoting the rocker arm 14 (clockwise, Fig. l) against the action of its resetting spring HB5. This movement of the rocker arm ld acts, through the member 85, to pivot the member 8l (clockwise, Fig. l) and during this mov-ement the pawl 88a which is carried by the member Si engages in the notched portion 89 of the member Q0 and pivots the latter (counterclockwise, from full to dotted line position, Fig. l). During this operation the laterally extending arm 133 of the operating member 9B engages the member 94 and creby pivots the latter, at S5, (counterclockwise, Fig. 5). During this movement of the member t@ the resiiient arm 95 of the same engages the free end portion of the web 59 and presses the same into printing engagement with the drun s ES-EP-E--EB-IESB-iii9, thereby recording upon the free end portion of the web the scores and other indicia borne by the said printing drums, whereupon the knife edge SG of the member engages the thus printed free end portion of the web B59 and acts with the knife edge its to sever the said free end portion of the web from the body or" the same. The thus printed and severed free end portion of the web thereupon drops by gravity into the delivery chute 9B, and then falls by gravity into the outlet tray 99, whence it may be removed by the player.

As the operating member Sii is pivoted (counterciockwise from full to dotted line position, l) the pawl 88d rides onto and over the cam edge Si of thn member 92 and after the laterally extending arm 93 has been forced into engagement with the web-severing and printing member 953 the pawl S2 is pivoted by the lower end portion of the cam edge Si (bottom end as seen in Figs. l and l2) (counterclockwise, Fig. l2) out of engagement with the notched portion 89 of the member 9d, whereupon the tensioned resetting spring |47 will pivot the member S4 back into its initial position (as in 5). During this operation the member Si!! engages or bears against the laterally extending arm 93 of the operating members Si@ and thereby pivots or rocks the latter about the shaft 33 back into its initial position (clockwise from dotted to full line position, Fig. 1), and at the end of this movement the pawl 38a. and the arm 8l are still in dotted line position Fig. l, and are retarded in their return to initial position in a manner to be described presently,

It will thus be seen that in the foregoing manner the web-printing and severing member 9ieE-Sl is operated by the auxiliary and non-coinoperated control device BE-SQ-i '.L-ii-'l-S B'i-SS-Sii, when the coin slide 82 is operated, even though the player for one reason or another may fail to operate the main control device (plunger IBB-Eil!) for the web-printing and severing member S13-9S ill.

When the coin slide 82 is released, and is returned to its normal or initial position (by a resetting spring, not shown) the members 8i) and Il will likewise return to initial position, whereupon the tensioned resetting spring H05 acts upon the rocker arm 'l to return the latter to its normal or initial position (counterclockwise, from dotted to full line position, Fig. l), and during this operation the pawl i3, which is carried by the rocker arm '14, engages the ratchet 72, and rotates the latter and the shaft li, and also the webadvancing roll iii, a predetermined circumferential distance (counterclockwise, Fig. l), thereby `the pressure and web-severing member ter (clockwise, Fig. 1l). of the switch-operating member 51 the central advancing the relatively free end portion of the web |59 relative to and past the printing drums 23-23-28-408-408, and relative to and past When the coin slide 82 is pushed in (left to right, Fig. 2) its inner end engages the depending arm of the slidable ball-retaining member V5t, thereby moving the latter (left to right, l()

`memberrEll is returned to its normal or initial position (by means of a resetting spring, not shown) the depending arm 55 thereof engages the laterally extending arm 55 of the switchoperating member 5l and thereby pivots the lat- During this movement portion 59 thereof engages the contact 60 of the switch 53 and thereby forces the same into engagement with the contact 6|, thus closing the switch 53, it being noted that the strength of the spring 52 is normally insuiicient to force the resilient contact 50 of the switch 53 into engagement with the contact El of the same. After which the depending arm 55 passes or moves by vthe lateral arm 56 so that the member 5l is free to move back into initial position by action of the movable element 50 of the switch 53. When the switch 53 is thus closed, current will flow as follows (Fig. 13): From one side of the cur-V rent source |3| through the conductor |48, through the thus closed switch 53, through the electromagnet 49, and thence by way of the conductors |35 and M5 back to the'other side of the battery |3l, thereby energizing the electromagnet l 49. When the electromagnet 49 is thus energized r'it will attract the end portion 48 of the movable latch-releasing member (l5, thereby pivoting the latter into engagement with the arms 44 of the latch dogs l2 (upwardly, Fig. 8). This movement of the latch-releasing member 45, pivots the latch dogs d2, at d3, (clockwise, Fig. 8), against the action of their resetting springs 46, thereby moving the arms lil of the latch dogs 42 out of engagement with their respective ratchets 30, 3| and 32,'whereupon the tensioned resetting springs 50, 5| and 52 will reset'the ratchets 30, 3| and 32 and the printing drums 23, 2l, and 28 back into their normal or initial positions.

When the ball-resetting member 54 is moved (left to right, Fig. 2) the balls disposed in the particular ball-receiving pockets in the inclined playing board l2 with which the switches |28 and |28 are associated will drop therefrom and off the switches |28 and |39, through the corresponding exit openings |55 in the ball-retaining members 5 (Fig. 16), onto the ball-return runway |08, in a manner which is well understood in the art, thereby opening the switches |28 and |28. When the switches |28 and |28 are thus opened circuit is broken to the electromagnets |55 and H8 andthe counterweighted end portions lili and H8 of the members lll and i l '1, respectively, will thus be released from attraction by the electromagnets H5 and i i9, whereupon the resetting springs lilI will return the printing drums |08 and |89 back into their normal or initial positions, and the printing drums |08 and |09, acting through the pin and slot connection lill and the ange |28 (Fig. 5), respectively, will pivot the members l ll and lll, respectively, back into their normal or initial positions (as in Figs. 5 and 6).

When a ball fails to enter either of the pockets 63 associated with the switches 55, 61, |28 or |29, it will gravitate to the lower end of the board l2 (Fig. 9) and will be guided toward either of the switches |55 so as to roll over the member |5| of the latter and into the out pocket |53. When either of the switches |50 is actuated by a ball rolling over the member l5! thereof current will flow as follows: From the source of energy |3| by way of the conductors |32, |31, |38 and |55 into the `particular switch |50 which has been actuated, thence through the latter and by way of the conductor |88 into both of the electromagnets 33 and 30. When the electromagnets 33 and Srl are thus simultaneously energized the corresponding printing drums 2l and 28 are simultaneously advanced Yone step by their respective mechanisms 35 in a manner which has already been described. Y

As an illustration of one type of competitive game which may be played upon the present game apparatus, it may be stated that such a game is a so-called boxing game, that is, a simulated boxing contest, and in this game, each ball propelled up the ramp l into engagement with the switch-operating member l'l-IS (Fig. 10), (to advance the recording drum 23) represents a round, and the balls which enter the particular ball-receiving pockets in the inclined playing board l2 -with which the switches |55 are associated, (to advance the recording drum 21), represent the blows scored or made by the player and the balls which enter the ball-receiving pockets 03 with which theV switches 61 are associated, (to advance the recording ,drum 28), represent the blows scored or made by his opponent; whereas a ball which enters the particular ball-receiving pocket with which the switch |28 is associated, (to advance the recording drum |08), represents a knockout, and the ball which enters the particular pocket 63 with which the switch |28 is associated, (to advance the recording drum |09), represents a so-called technical knockout; the printing drum 23 being provided with suitable printing characters or indicia to represent the number of rounds played, that is, the number of balls propelled up the ramp lli, and the printing drums 2l and 28 are provided with suitable printing characters or indicia to represent the competitive scores made by the players. Similarly, the printing drums |08 and |09 are provided with suitable indicia to represent, respectively, a so-called knockout and a so-called technical knockout. VIt will thus be seen that when the score ticket, that is, the free end portion of the web |59, is printed and severed from the body of the web 59 it will have printed thereon the competitive scores made by the players, as recorded thereon by the printing drums 2l and 28, the number of rounds played, that is, the number of balls propelled up the ramp |13, as recorded thereon by the printing drum 23, and also whether the game ended by a so-called knockout, as recorded by thev printing drum l 83, or by a so-called technical knockout as recorded by the printing drum |09, or whether the game lasted the full number of rounds corresponding to the number of balls used in the game, it being understood that such a game ends when one of the players plays a ball into the particular ball-receiving pocket with which the switch |28 is associated, or into the particular pocket with which the switch |29 is associated, since in either of these events the switch |22 is opened, in the manner hereinbefore described (by action of the members and ||1 (Fig. 6), and the circuit |3||32|6|33 |22-I3-22-I35-I45 through the electromagnet 22, which operates the printing drum 23, (which records the number of rounds played, that is, the number of balls propelled up the ramp i4) is opened, at the switch |22, and the game will thus be recorded as ending in that particular round. However, the unplayecl balls,

if there are any remaining to be played, may be propelled onto the board I2, for the purpose of recording further blows for either the player or his opponent as shown upon the printing drums 2l or 28.

If a ball should roll over the member |5| of either of the switches |50, both printing drums 21 and 28 will be advanced to record an additional blow, and this is to simulate what is known, in boxing bouts, as a draw.

It is to be understood, of course, that the foregoing illustration of how the present game apparatus may be employed as a so-called boxing game is not limitative of the uses to which the present game apparatus may be put, since the same may readily be used for playing various other types of games or simulations of competitive sports, which may be played upon a pin and marble game.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my in- Vention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification, without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. In pin ball games having ball scoring pockets and means for projecting balls therein, together with score printing drums and means operable by pocketed balls to step said drums into printing position, control mechanism including a device arranged in the path of balls from said projecting means for operation by projected balls, stepping means operable by said device for stepping a printing drum once for each ball projected, and means including a device actuated by a projected ball entering a scoring pocket for preventing further operation of said stepping means so long as a ball remains in said pocket.

2. Control mechanism for game apparatus having ticket printing drums operable by stepping mechanism actuated by balls projected onto a score-pocket board, said mechanism including means operable by a projected ball for actuating a recording drum stepping mechanism to record the number of balls projected, and means including a device operated by a ball entering a score pocket for preventing further operation of said rst means and said drum stepping mechamsm.

HARRY E. WILLIAMS. 

